CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News

CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News

County sheriff in Colorado says "balloon boy" incident was a "hoax" and a "publicity stunt."

1 In 7 Girls At Robeson High School Got Pregnant - cbs2chicago.com

1 In 7 Girls At Robeson High School Got Pregnant - cbs2chicago.com

Why Did 1 In 7 Girls Get Pregnant At Robeson High?

Breaking News at our Black Colleges (Hampton and Morehouse)

Do-Rags, Sagging Pants Banned in New Morehouse Dress Code Morehouse College, the historically black all-male college in Atlanta, wants its students to adhere to a dress code. Morehouse President Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Jr. is implementing the code starting today as part of his "Five Wells: well read, well spoken, well-traveled, well dressed and well balanced." The "well dressed" portion of the creed includes things like not wearing do-rags outside of residence halls, no sunglasses in class, no jeans at major programs, no pajamas outside of the dorm, no dental grills, no women's garb and my personal favorite: no sagging. "Each student must promote and portray a positive image and properly represent themselves and the college," the notice says.                                                   The changes don't seem to be too radical. In fact, most of them seem like common sense. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of seeing young boys' dirty boxers and people walking down the street in pajamas. How lazy is that? I can't believe people are so busy that they can't throw on a pair of pants or shorts before leaving their homes. (Note: For the woman walking on St. Nicholas Avenue last Wednesday, those light blue pants with yellow birds were clearly pajamas.)Unfortunately, not everyone grows up with a parent like mine. I couldn't imagine trying to walk out of my house in my PJs. If my mother found out I tried to wear sunglasses in class I would have been punished. Part of Morehouse's mission should be to teach young men about how the decisions you make reflect on you. Wearing do-rags all the time and pajamas outside send the message that you don't care about your appearance. I'm all for freedom of expression. I don't expect all Morehouse students to walk around dressed like Farnsworth Bentley, but it's not too much to ask students to put on slacks and a collared shirt, and even a tie, for a few programs per year. According to a Facebook discussion on the topic, Morehouse students have not been taken seriously by visitors due to their appearance: "The feeling I'm getting from the younger alum, that I was unaware of, is that there are a significant number of students dressing like Miss Jay from 'America's Next Top Model' or Lil' Wayne all the time," wrote Robert A. Brown. Morehouse is not alone in its dress code mandate: A couple of years ago, Michael Sorrell, the president of HBCU Paul Quinn College in Dallas, also felt that students could not be taken seriously because of their attire and ordered a dress code. Sorrell's premise was "...if you're not used to dressing in business casual, how can you make the transition to life after school?" Students initially resisted, but according to FoxNews.com, "the kids we talked to on campus say they're on board -- they look and feel better." While I agree with Morehouse, I think the policy needs a little more clarification. As some pointed out on Facebook, designations of casual, modest casual and business casual need to be refined. Care should also be taken to protect the freedoms of those who might be discriminated against because their dress may be seen as not masculine enough. There's nothing wrong with teaching students, though, about how the decisions they make affect how people view them. Students must also learn that they can't do everything they want to do all the time. I like relaxing at home in my Sean John lounge wear, but that's the only place you'll ever catch me wearing it. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hypocrisy reigns for critics of the first non-black Miss Hampton U By David A. Love   Hampton University senior Nikole Churchill was crowned Miss Hampton University on Friday. She was the first non-black to win the title. (Joi Louviere, October 9, 2009) The crowning of Nikole Churchill as the first non-black Miss Hampton University has caused a ruckus at the historically-black college and throughout the African-American community. Hampton alumni, bloggers, and callers into black radio talk shows are upset that Churchill, 22, was selected to fill a representative role for a traditionally black institution. As a student at Hampton, Churchill was certainly eligible to compete and ultimately win the award. Any objections to her crowning that are based on her skin color are nothing less than hypocritical. Churchill, who is from Hawaii, was selected to be Miss Hampton University from among 10 contestants. In addition to receiving a $1,500 scholarship, she will serve as the school's homecoming queen and will compete in the 2010 Miss Virginia pageant. Churchill's mother is of Italian ancestry, and her father is from Guam. In a letter to President Obama - a fellow Hawaiian - the nursing major said that many Hampton students do not accept her crowning, and have made negative comments about her. "It would be much easier to say that possibly some were not accepting of the news because I wasn't the most qualified contestant; however, the true reason for the disapproval was because of the color of my skin. I am not African-American," she told the president. "Despite the unfortunate beliefs that some are saying I should not have won, I am desperately trying to focus on those who believe in me and support me and my goal to represent this beautiful, multicultural campus the very best way that I can." Churchill later apologized to the Hampton University community for writing the letter. No apology was necessary; black folks should be able to relate to Ms. Churchill's situation. The black experience in America has been one of exclusion, of society questioning our abilities and qualifications. The troubling legacy of racial exclusion by white universities is why historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were founded in the first place. WATCH THE FULL REPORT BELOW When black students first integrated into the public schools and colleges, they were greeted with insults and death threats, and were ostracized until graduation day. Even today, people of color are still scrutinized. They are the object of suspicion at school and, in the workplace, their credentials and capabilities are questioned. America's first black president won a fair election, despite race-baiting from his political opponents. Yet an entire segment of the population believes he is unqualified, illegitimate and unfit to serve. Dr. Martin Luther King talked about the drum major instinct, which he described as "a need that some people have to feel superior. A need that some people have to feel that they are first, and to feel that their white skin ordained them to be first." Sadly, the oppressed internalize their own oppression from time to time. In the past, this resulted in "paper bag tests" for admission to exclusive African-American organizations, or the denial of so-called "lower-class" black people. Then there were the lighter-skinned blacks who were able to pass for white and occasionally abandoned their darker family members for a full-fledged life in mainstream society. Yet, the black community has always had a tradition of bringing in others and claiming them as their own. African-Americans, as longstanding victims of discrimination, are in a special position to show tolerance and inclusion. We can't afford to do any less. Anyone who gets upset over Churchill's victory has not learned the lessons of history. It is fitting that Churchill has invited President Obama to come to Hampton to speak about diversity. Hopefully he will accept the offer, and allow a constructive dialogue to take root

Adviser: Obama awaiting finished health care bill - Yahoo! News

Adviser: Obama awaiting finished health care bill - Yahoo! News

"There will be compromise. There will be legislation, and it will achieve our goals: helping people who have insurance get more security, more accountability for the insurance industry, helping people who don't have insurance get insurance they can afford, and lowering the overall cost of the system," aide David Axelrod said.

Illinois.gov - The Official Website for the State of Illinois

Illinois.gov - The Official Website for the State of Illinois

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Save MAP Grants
Covers Second Semester Funding for 138,000 Illinois College Students

Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to cover critical second-semester MAP funding for nearly 138,000 eligible students. Senate Bill 1180 appropriates full funding for the need-based student aid program, allowing both students and colleges to plan for the Spring 2010 college term.

Governor Quinn and the Illinois Legislature could have found the funding if they eliminated the drug program at Sheridan Correctional Center. Governor Quinn should let Sheridan Correctional Center become a "regular" prison as it was designed when built. Sheridan Correctional Center is not reducing recidivism to any significant degree that the regular prison experience would produce.

Don't wait to prepare for Cold & Flu Season

View this email in a browser.   Prepare Yourself for Cold & Flu Season By Jenna Pisani (M.S.), Scientific Affairs Due to last spring's outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus, many people are looking for help when it comes to avoiding this potentially dangerous disease. So, as we head into the 2009-10 flu season, it's important to be informed of the precautionary measures you can take to ensure the health and safety of yourself and your family. Each year on average, 5-20% of the population contracts the respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, resulting in over 200,000 hospitalizations and about 36,000 deaths. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this flu season could be worse due to the spread of the new H1N1 flu virus, also known as swine flu.       The best way to prevent ourselves from contracting the illness is to get vaccinated. Two types of seasonal vaccinations exist: the typical flu shot, which provides an inactive form of the vaccine and is approved for anyone 6 months of age and older, including those with chronic medical conditions. A second vaccine is the nasal-spray flu vaccine, which provides live, weakened flu viruses and is approved for those from 2 to 49 years of age who do not have a chronic medical condition which might predispose them to flu complications. These vaccinations are offered starting in early fall and are available throughout the season. Check with your doctor or community health center for dates and locations near you. Regular vaccination can help you protect yourself against the viruses that research suggests will be the most common during a particular flu season. However, it's important to be aware that this year's seasonal vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against the new H1N1 flu virus. A vaccine specific to H1N1 is in production and may be ready for the public this fall. While the vaccinations are available to everyone, certain people are encouraged to get them because they are at high risk or care for those at high risk (see box). The CDC also recommends that for the 2009-10 flu season, children aged 6 months to 8 years who have not gotten a previous flu vaccination should receive 2 doses of the vaccine. If you have had a severe reaction to a previous influenza vaccination, you are not encouraged to receive this year's vaccine. Other smart precautions There are certain preventative actions that we can take everyday to help protect ourselves and others from the flu. These actions include: • Wash your hands and/or use a hand sanitizer regularly • Keep hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth • Avoid contact with infected individuals     If you are already infected, or think you may be, take these additional precautions: • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. It's best to use a tissue or handkerchief, or cough into your elbow if no tissue is available. DO NOT cough or sneeze into your hands – if you do, you can transfer the virus to almost anything you touch, and your family, friends and coworkers may then be exposed. Dispose of the tissue and sanitize your hands as soon as possible. • Stay at home from work or school to help reduce the spread of the virus. It's best to limit your exposure to others until 24 hours after your fever has come down without the use of fever-reducing medications. Immunity Support & Homeopathic Remedies In addition to vaccination or for those who can't or don't want to receive the vaccine, you can take steps to support your immune system. There is a wide-range of immune supporting supplements available at your local Vitamin Shoppe – ask a Health Enthusiast for details. Homeopathic remedies may provide an additional layer of protection, and can also lessen the severity of symptoms associated with flu. Oscillococcinum is a popular remedy for fevers, chills and aches. Anas barbariae is widely used for the prevention and treatment of flu due to its antiviral effects. Aconitum napellus, Apis mellifica and Belladonna may help alleviate a fever. Bryonia or Ferrum phosphoricum can be taken when flu symptoms include headache or cough. Arsenicum album and Gelsemium may help combat fatigue.   Eupatorium perforliatum may help ease aching muscles and Nux vomica may help settle an upset stomach.   This flu season, be sure to protect yourself against the influenza virus by being informed. If you are at high risk, get vaccinated. Stay healthy this winter by taking every precautionary measure, especially washing hands and avoiding those infected. Join the Conversation The flu season is just around the corner. What are you planning to do to support your immune health?     You last shopped with us at: 1243 Torrence Ave    Calumet City    708-862-3498 Don't miss out on any Vitamin Shoppe offers or announcements! Be sure to add TheVitaminShoppe@email.vitaminshoppe.com to your address book. Have questions? You may contact us by mail at: The Vitamin Shoppe, Attn: Customer Service Department, 2101 91st Street, North Bergen, New Jersey 07047 or via email at: mailto:customercare@vitaminshoppe.com